Piazza della Cisterna, San Gimignano

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I really enjoyed the market square or the Piazza della Cisterna – named after the cistern well that is in the center of the piazza. The many buildings with ivy growing over them, the shops and restaurants, the gelato shops, and the atmosphere make this a wonderful experience. And it is all completely free – unless you buy something at the shops or cafes, of course! The cistern would collect the rainwater from the buildings for the town: think about it – it was a hill town without a river running through it. The people needed water from somewhere!

You reach the Piazza della Cisterna at the end of walking up the Via San Giovanni from the southern gate, which is lined with shops to browse. Since this walk is uphill, the piazza offers you a respite from walking uphill and you can catch your breath, have a gelato, or just enjoy the view!

Named after the water cistern in the middle, the triangular shaped Piazza della Cisterna is San Gimignano's second square. It is linked to Piazza del Duomo, the political and religious centre of town, with a narrow passageway. Historically, Piazza della Cisterna was the commercial centre of town. In fact, until today, a popular market takes place in town in this square, although the market now spills over to much of the rest of the town. Surrounding the Piazza are some of San Gimignano's towers, such as Torre del Diavolo and Torri degli Ardinghelli and other important palaces.

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The streets Via San Giovanni and Via San Mattio climb to meet in the middle of the town to Piazza della Cisterna. Local people and many tourist visite this piazza as it is famous for restaurants, hotels and gelaterias.

This square is not really a square, it's triangle in shape and is named after cistern located in the middle of the square. It was originally built in 1237 and later enlarged in 1346. The cistern was an important water source for the town & now popular attraction with visitors

From the square, you can see other medieval buildings plus a hotel & a cafe

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The old commercial heart of San Gimignano is Piazza della Cisterna. This lovely sloping, triangular piazza dates back to the 13th century, and gets its name from the large cistern (well) that sits in the centre. This well used to supply water to the whole town.

The square is surrounded by 13th & 14th century buildings and towers, containing cafes, shops and businesses. On the western side of the square you will see the two Torri Ardinghelli and the tall Torre del Diavolo (Devil's Tower).

I can highly recommend taking a seat on the steps surrounding the cistern for a rest, and to eat your gelato bought from the nearby gelateria ; )

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On the right side of Piazza della Cisterna you can see Palazzo dei Cortesi with the tower called %Tower of the Devil. On the west side of the square there are the two wonderful %Twin towers of the Ardinghelli which was a very famous merchant family who had business with Far East and North Europe. Near the twin tower there is the Torre Pellari built in 1237.

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Piazza della Cisterna is a very big square which is caracterized by the cisterna built in 1287 in the middle of the square. The Piazza has got a triangular shape with a natural pendence. It was enlarged in 1346 by Guccio Malavolti.
Along the sides of the square you can see wonderful palaces: Palazzo Razzi with windows with double arches; Casa Salvestrini built in the middle of 1200; Palazzo Tortoli-Treccani with Senese double arches built in the 12th century.

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Piazza della Cisterna, "castrum vetus" is considered as the heart of San Gimignano. Once the square was called the Tavern Square, and was the place in which commerce and banking transactions took place. The whole square, like the rest of the town, is characterised by buildings in varying architectural styles. In the middle of the square is the well, built in 1237, which bears the coat of arms of the Podesta Guccio Malavolti. The furrows carved by the chains used to draw the water can still be seen on the well. The square is overlooking by the Devil's Tower, one of the oldest in town.

Piazza della Cisterna is named after the well. This well in the middle of the square was built in 1237 and enlarged in 1346. The water in the well was used for drinking, cooking and washing, but also to put out fires.

This square is the heart of the city. It has an irregular form and is surrounded by high medieval houses in different architectural styles, and a well in the middle.

The square was once known as the Tavern square and was the place in which commerce and banking transactions took place.